When Two Universes Meet (Marvel x DC Crossover)

Chapter 9: Realization

All Dick saw was a blur, a flash of white lights.

He groaned as the side of his head flared with pain, and memories came back to him like a montage. He sat up with difficulty.

"Dick!" a familiar woman's voice rang in his ears, and his blurry vision focused on a woman with a tomboy cut, and green eyes. The light from her rectangle earrings flashed. "Thank goodness, you're okay."

"W-what happened?" he slurred, head still dizzy. "Where am I?"

Selina helped prop him up. "It's okay, Dick. You're in your own room in Wayne Manor. Katiya dragged you back. Said you two were accosted, and you got hit in the process. She managed to get rid of those two criminals, but when I asked her if she wanted to make a report, she said no. That those two won't bother her again for some time."

Dick held his hands on his head. "How long was I out?"

"You were hit on the head pretty hard. It's been two days now," Selina reported. "But don't worry, Tim and Cass visited you; occasionally Damian. Jason bought you your favorite cereal...Morgan came to give you a 'Get well' card with her mom, Peter brought some fresh flowers everyday. Katiya came by once, but she requested a private moment, so I didn't know what she said or did. Duke's about to visit once he's finished with school. I only told him this morning. Didn't want him to worry when his exam is around the corner."

Dick was silent, watching a blue jay whizz past his window and landed on a branch, tweeting away. "What actually happened? I want all the details."

"Katiya's answer was vague, I'm afraid." Selina started to cut an apple with a small knife. "She only mentioned that you were hit. And she got rid of those two."

"But if I was hit, I could've remembered it," Dick said, bolting up straight. Selina jumped up hurriedly, the apple rolling on the floor, and the knife set down on his nightstand. "There's no way one of those guys had hit me. I remembered it clearly. No one from my direct line of sight hit me. Unless--"

"Sit down, Dick," Selina commanded, and Dick sat down instinctively. "Your injury is still healing. You shouldn't be too reckless. And besides, are you thinking that Katiya hurt you? She may be fierce (I have to admit), but she wouldn't hurt you. I can tell; she's a loyal girl."

"But who else--"

"You're being delusional," Selina forced him to lie down on his pillow, covering him in his thick sheet of blankets. "You were hit pretty hard." And as she picked up the apple, wiped it with the sleeve of her coat, and continued to cut it, Dick heard her mutter something about Steph being hurt and now him.

"Here," Selina gave him slices of apple, and he obeyed by eating them. "Now, rest. I need to check on Steph."

She left the room.

~~

Katiya stared at an age-old photo.

It was taken years ago, before she was even living under Tony's roof. She was so young; even though she had a mature look, the silver eyes shone with hidden innocence. She was sandwiched between two men: Navelo and Pravilno many years younger. Back then, Navelo was thinner, while Pravilno had slightly more fat than he did recently. And it seems their physique had swapped.

How could they even track me here? Katiya thought, frowning. As far as he could've known, I'm sucking up to my new life in New York City--

The door rattled.

Katiya opened up the door, showing a teenage boy. He had rich dark brown skin, and neatly shaved hair. He was in formal attire (white shirt beneath a grey sleeveless wool vest, and black pants), his bag clumsily dropped behind his back. His brown eyes showcased his nervousness and anxiety.